Free A Pack Divided by Erin Hunter

long nose, then gave Twitch a friendly lick. “I agree: Moon should be lead patrol dog.”
    The muttering among Twitch’s former Pack grew slightly louder.
    â€œBut,” she went on, raising her voice. “It’s past time for us to create a new rank for Twitch. It’s right that his old Pack have suchfaith and trust in him, and it’s not surprising that many of you look to him to guide you. He’s a good leader and a fine dog, and his talents would be wasted as a patrol dog.” She brushed Twitch’s nose with her own. “Twitch, you will be Third Dog in this Pack, ranking only below me and Lucky.”
    Snap sat down abruptly, out of sheer shock. Her jaw was slack. “But, Alpha. The hunters have always ranked above the patrol dogs in this Pack. And Twitch can’t hunt!”
    â€œThat’s beside the point,” the swift-dog told her, her eyes narrowing. “I am the Alpha of this Pack, and I know what makes sense for us here and now. Packs can change, and this is the right thing for us.”
    Lucky’s tail beat the earth approvingly. “It’s a perfect solution,” he barked.
    That, it seemed, was the cue some of the dogs needed to express their own approval. From around the circle dogs spoke up, barking and whining in praise of Alpha’s clever idea, congratulating Twitch on his promotion.
    â€œWell done, Twitch!” yelped Daisy.
    â€œYou’ll make a tremendous third in command,” added Bruno gruffly. “Alpha has been wise.”
    â€œYes! Good decision, Alpha,” panted Mickey.
    Storm hadn’t realized how tense her muscles were until she sagged with relief, and her own tail began wagging with enthusiasm. It had been a horrible moment, but Alpha had solved the problem with her usual elegance. Storm let her tongue loll happily as she watched the three leaders pad out of the circle together, quietly discussing Twitch’s new duties.
    A movement caught Storm’s attention, and she glanced sideways. Thorn had moved to stand by Beetle, and she was growling something in his pricked ear. Nothing good, judging by the tightness of her jaws and the angry glare of her brother. And Breeze was still and silent, her gaze fixed on Moon. Moon herself wore a confused and slightly hurt expression, as if she couldn’t quite work out what had just happened.
    A chill of apprehension rippled down Storm’s spine. I thought Alpha had solved the problem.
    But not for all dogs, she hadn’t. Storm had the distinct sense that some were only pretending to accept their Alpha’s extraordinary decision.
    I’ve got a horrible feeling this isn’t over. . . .

CHAPTER EIGHT
    There was coolness between and beneath Storm’s paw pads as she paced across the ground. A strange, wet, sticky coolness. She dipped her head, surprised, to look below her.
    Not ground at all. The surface she walked on was slick and shifting, a green-sheened dark liquid that was thicker than water. Her paws sank into it a little, but it didn’t swallow her up, not if she kept walking.
    Only if she stopped did it begin to suck her down. . . .
    Hurriedly she picked up her stride. All around her moonlight shimmered on the odd surface, and the Moon-Dog was reflected in a glossy path of bright silver. Storm felt herself drawn to look down again, and in the smooth surface she caught a clear glimpse of her own face.
    So angry! She jumped, startled. Snarling like a wolf . . .
    Shocked, she halted with one paw raised; instantly she began to sink into theshining mass. I’m not angry! Her face felt calm, her jaws relaxed. I’m not snarling!
    So why would her reflection . . .
    â€œIt’s your real face. That’s why.”
    Storm whirled, tugging her paws free of the glossy, treacherous liquid, and found herself staring into the eyes of Fang.
    Fang, her litter-brother. But he was dead. . . .
    Yes. Dead. He must be. There were two deep, red holes in